Cards & Booking Points Ultimate Betting Guide (2018 Update)

In this betting guide, we look in detail at the various Cards and Booking Points markets available, how they work for each individual bookmaker as well as looking at what factors you should be considering before placing your bets.

Cards & Booking Points Ultimate Betting Guide

The Cards/Booking Points market might not be the most popular, but it is one that can offer great value.

Furthermore, if you are fortunate to be watching a game live, it is a market that offers huge In-Play potential as you are able to see the temperament of teams and players as the action unfolds.

What Are Booking Points?

Booking Points is a system bookmakers use for Yellow and Red cards where the bettor places a bet on how many points will be accumulated in a match. The maximum number of Booking Points that can be accrued by one player is 35 points.

4 Factors To Consider When Betting On Cards Or Booking Points

Cards and Bookings Points betting can be a great alternative market for punters as success often relies on the character of a team which usually remains constant regardless of whether they are winning or losing.

With that in mind, here are 4 factors you should consider before placing your bets:

Players – There are many players who are notorious for being booked, whether it be because of their rough tackling style (*ahem* Lee Cattermole), simulation (*ahem* Arjen Robben) or dissent towards the referee (*ahem* Diego Costa).

Teams – Research how many bookings a team gets on average. Aggressive teams tend to pick up bookings regardless of form and this gives your bets a degree of reliability, although as every bettor should know, nothing is guaranteed. You can use our statsdatabase for this.

Referees – The referee can play an important role in the number of bookings given. Some referees are more prone to dishing out cards while others are more lenient. Looking at the average number of yellow and red cards a referee has shown will give you a rough understanding of what you can expect.

History – Take into consideration whether there is any history between the two teams. Derbies or fixtures between two fierce rivals usually result in more bookings. In contrast, fixtures at the end of the season when there is not much at stake may be less likely to result in many bookings.

Types Of Booking Points & Cards Markets

The majority of bookmakers use the same ‘Points’ system but before we explain how each system works for each individual bookie, lets look at the different types of Cards and Booking Points markets available.

Total Booking Points Explained

Total Booking Points means you are betting on the total number of bookings accumulated by both teams. This is usually either Over or Under a particularly marker.

Example: Over 45 Booking Points

First Card Explained

First Card means you are betting on which team will be first to receive a Yellow or Red Card.

Booking Match Bet Explained

Booking Match Bet means you are betting on which team will receive the most Cards or Booking Points.

Card Handicap Explained

Card Handicap means you are betting on which team will receive the most bookings whilst taking into account a plus or minus ‘Handicap’.

Example 1: Team A (-1) Card Handicap – This means they would need to receive at least 2 or more cards than their opponents for you to win.

bet365 Cards Explained

Here’s how Cards work with bet365:

Yellow Card = 1.

Red Card = 2.

If a player receives 2 yellow cards and is consequently shown a red card this counts as 3 cards.

Cards shown in extra-time or after the final whistle do not count.

Only cards shown to players on the pitch count.

Cards shown to managers or substitutes do not count.

Betfair Cards & Booking Points Explained

Here’s how Cards and Booking Points work with Betfair:

Yellow Card = 10 Points.

Red Card = 25 Points.

If a player receives 2 yellow cards and is consequently shown a red card this counts as 35 Booking Points.

Cards shown in extra-time or after the final whistle do not count.

Only cards shown to players on the pitch count.

Cards shown to managers or substitutes do not count.

BetVictor Cards & Booking Points Explained

Here’s how Cards and Booking Points work with BetVictor:

Yellow Card = 10 Points.

Red Card = 25 Points.

If a player receives 2 yellow cards and is consequently shown a red card this counts as 35 Booking Points.

Cards shown in extra-time or after the final whistle do not count.

Only cards shown to players on the pitch count.

Cards shown to managers or substitutes do not count.

Coral Cards & Booking Points Explained

Here’s how Cards and Booking Points work with Coral:

Yellow Card = 10 Points.

Red Card = 25.

If a player receives 2 yellow cards and is consequently shown a red card this counts as 35 Booking Points.

Cards shown in extra-time or after the final whistle do not count.

Only cards shown to players on the pitch count.

Cards shown to managers or substitutes do not count.

Ladbrokes Cards & Booking Points Explained

Here’s how Cards and Booking Points work with Ladbrokes:

Yellow Card = 10 Points.

Red Card = 25 Points.

If a player receives 2 yellow cards and is consequently shown a red card this counts as 35 Booking Points.

Cards shown in extra-time or after the final whistle do not count.

Only cards shown to players on the pitch count.

Cards shown to managers or substitutes do not count.

Paddy Power Cards & Booking Points Explained

Here’s how Cards and Booking Points work with Paddy Power:

Yellow Card = 10 Points.

Red Card = 25 Points.

If a player receives 2 yellow cards and is consequently shown a red card this counts as 35 Booking Points.

Cards shown in extra-time or after the final whistle do not count.

Only cards shown to players on the pitch count.

Cards shown to managers or substitutes do not count.

Sky Bet Cards & Booking Points Explained

Here’s how Booking Points work with Sky Bet:

Yellow Card = 10 Booking Points.

Red Card = 25 Booking Points.

If a player receives 2 yellow cards and is consequently shown a red card this counts as 35 Booking Points.

Cards shown in extra-time or after the final whistle do not count.

Only cards shown to players on the pitch count.

Cards shown to managers or substitutes do not count.

William Hill Cards & Booking Points Explained

Here’s how Cards and Booking Points work with William Hill:

Yellow Card = 10 Booking Points.

Red Card = 25 Booking Points.

If a player receives 2 yellow cards and is consequently shown a red card this counts as 35 Booking Points.

Cards shown in extra-time or after the final whistle do not count.

Only cards shown to players on the pitch count.

Cards shown to managers or substitutes do not count.

Summary

Card and Booking Points betting is a very niche market but like with anything, if you do the research, then there is money to be made. It is also important (and something we strongly strongly recommend) to familiarise yourself with the different types of markets and systems that bookmakers use before getting involved.